David Keyte talks us through the Universal Works S/S20 Collection
We are huge fans of Universal Works, and during the current lockdown, we took the opportunity to ask the brand's founder, David Keyte, to talk us through some of the key pieces from UW's S/S2020 collection. As an added bonus we have taken 20% of each of the items mentioned.
Shawl Collar Short Sleeve Shirt (available in Laurel and Blueprint)
"This is a new style for Summer 2020 - I got the idea from an old piece a good friend of mine in the USA got me into. We both chased a vintage shirt around eBay but the trek failed so I just got down to creating a new pattern based on our summer shirt block and I think the result is pretty good ( but then I would say that!). Looks good over a white tee or on warmer days on its own."
Prairie Jacket in Dual Lincot (available in Navy and Natural)
"We have made this style for many years now- originally in a fleece fabric as a sporty cardigan. For this spring I felt it would work well as a lightweight jacket in this soft linen/cotton mix. This is one of my favourite fabrics this season which we sourced from a small mill near Bergamo in Italy. It's made specifically to be garment dyed which gives it a super washed vintage feel, but the linen content keeps it cool enough to wear on warmer days."
Classic Crew Sweatshirt (available in orange, navy and laurel)
"Our crew sweats are a pretty classic staple for everyone. We have given this version quite a loose fit and a super dry handfeel to the jersey fleece. We used an irregular slub yarn to give a more vintage feel to the organic cotton and we add the colour by garment dying again to give a lovely lived-in feel from day one."
Track Trousers (available in denim, indigo and laurel)
"This really is the best staying in trouser! I designed them to be a kind of upmarket tracksuit pant, really relaxed with an elastic and drawcord waist and a loose and taped leg. They're good for a trip to the supermarket or just hanging out at home. I'd like to think the Big Lebowski would have loved these!"
In washed-out lightweight denim, they are your perfect summer jean. In overdyed canvas with self stripe to add more of a sports heritage, they are my go-to trousers right now."
Patched Bakers Jacket (Indigo)
"They don’t come much better than this for summer! This is our classic workwear jacket, the Baker Jacket, but the twist here is the execution with “patches” to nod at the old jacket my dad wore for years ( he was a baker) and repaired and patched. All the patches use the same fabric as the jacket, one of my favourite blue-collar workwear cloths, denim chambray - the lightweight cousin to your favourite jeans fabric.
With a contrast stitch in ecru adding to its working credentials, this jacket will get better and better for years - enjoy !"
Liner jacket (Laurel)
"As the name suggests this is my take on the craze of wearing the liner from a military jacket as a jacket itself - the kids in Japan have been making this a thing for a while and I wanted to do my own version.
It’s brand new for Spring Summer 2020 and has proven super popular. Really simple in construction- somewhere between a shirt and jacket and a cardigan - and in poplin just a perfect summer layer - wear it over your favourite white tee for sophisticated but understated cool look."
